Celebrate Black History Month With Your Student ID
Pittsburgh is honoring Black History Month with a series of meaningful events and exhibits highlighting the contributions, history, and experiences of African Americans in the city and beyond. From special exhibitions at prominent museums to historical showcases and public celebrations, here is a roundup of events you can check out throughout the month of February, using your student ID.
Dippy the Dinosaur on the grounds of the Carnegie Museum and Library
Teenie Harris Archive at Carnegie Museum of Art
The Teenie Harris Archive at the Carnegie Museum of Art offers an exceptional opportunity to explore the work of Charles "Teenie" Harris. Harris was known for capturing the daily life of Pittsburgh’s Black working class throughout the 20th century. This expansive archive is a treasure trove of Harris’s powerful photography documenting African American life in Pittsburgh throughout the 20th century. The exhibition is located in the Scaife Gallery 7 of the Carnegie Museum of Art.
This archive includes Harris’s iconic black-and-white images but also never-before-seen color photographs, moving images, film negatives, and recorded oral histories. Students with a valid school ID will have to pay for a ticket priced at $15, and students that attend school in the Pittsburgh area can receive free admission. For more information, visit here.
Carnegie Science Center: A Celebration of Black History
The Carnegie Science Center of Pittsburgh is highlighting events and live demonstrations at their Buhl Planetarium and special exhibit spotlights, such as the Railroad Village. The Railroad Village exhibit will feature key locations in Pittsburgh’s Black history. Notable sites include the Hill District home of Daisy Lampkin, a famous suffragist, the Pittsburgh Courier Building, the Crawford Grill, and more.
For more details, you can visit the Science Center's Black History Month webpage here. This exhibit is a fantastic way to see Pittsburgh from a bird’s eye view. Students with a valid school ID will receive $3 off their admissions ticket.
City-County Building: Opera Trailblazers Showcase
At Pittsburgh’s City-County Building, the Grand Lobby will host a month-long exhibition honoring opera trailblazers. This special showcase will celebrate the National Negro Opera Company, the first permanent African American opera company in the nation, founded in Pittsburgh in 1941. Memorabilia on display will also recognize the National Opera House, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the company’s original headquarters in Homewood. This exhibit offers a powerful look at the legacy of Black opera in Pittsburgh and its contributions to the arts. The city-County Building is located on Grant Street in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Downtown neighborhood. It is free and open to the public.
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall: John L. Ford, Sr. African American Heritage Celebration
Soldiers and Sailors Hall Memorial Hall and Museum in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum in Oakland will celebrate Black History Month with a special event focused on the Black experience during the Vietnam War. The John L. Ford, Sr., African American Heritage Celebration will feature panelists and historians JaQuay Edward Carter and Michael Kraus. They will discuss the experiences of the approximately 300,000 African American soldiers who served in the Vietnam War, many of whom faced racial discrimination during and after their service. The event is carries an entry fee of $5 for students.
Pittsburgh’s Black History Month has many opportunities for students to celebrate and engage with the city's rich cultural heritage, appreciate the art and experiences that have shaped Pittsburgh’s African American community, and honor the individuals and organizations that have made lasting impacts. Whether you are visiting a museum, exploring historical archives, or attending a special event, there is something for everyone to learn and enjoy throughout the month of February, and it can all be done while enjoying the benefits of your student discount.
Zion Ross ’26 majors in music business with a minor in dance. Passionate about the intersection of performing arts and the entertainment industry, she is particularly interested in blending creative and performing arts with business strategies. Born and raised in Pittsburgh's East End, Zion spends her free time discovering new music and new artists.